Barbara McDonald Parker

She was born in Washington, DC on November 10, 1939, to James and Inez McDonald and adoptive parents, J.A. and Ada Watson, all of whom predeceased Barbara.

Barbara married the love of her life, Dennis Wilton Parker on June 6, 1965 and had 17 ½ wonderful years together with him until his passing on December 25, 1982, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

She loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ above all else and her beloved husband, Dennis W. Parker who went home to his Lord December 25, 1982. She loved her two daughters, Elaine Corbett and Rebecca Parker and her granddaughter, Haven Parker beyond imagination. She was blessed to have her son-in-law, Skip Corbett in her life for the last 9 years and Tony Tracy, whom she viewed as her “second son” for the last several years.

Barbara became a Registered Nurse in 1958 after graduating from Parkview School of Nursing in Rocky Mount, NC. She joined the VA Hospital in Durham, NC upon graduation where set met and married her beloved husband, Dennis W. Parker. She retired from the VA Hospital after Dennis’ passing in 1982 and went on to serve at both Durham Regional Hospital and Duke University Medical Center with her area of service primarily being an Operating Room Nurse. She loved being a Nurse and continued to “nurse” those around her until her passing. She was a member of Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church and loved her Sunday school class and church family dearly. Beyond her abiding faith in her Lord and love for her family, she loved Atlanta Braves baseball and watched them for 30+ years, loving every game. She was known for her immense kindness and faithfulness in friendship to so many whose lives she touched. She loved her dearest friends, Carolyn Bunn of Siler City, NC; Janet Maddry of Huntersville, NC and Barbara Carter of Tarboro, NC, all of whom were fellow nurses. Her family is grateful to her family physician, Dr. Andre Leonard, for the love and care he provided in recent years.

Survivors include her daughter, Elaine Corbett and husband, Skip; daughter, Rebecca Parker and Tony Tracy; granddaughter, Haven Parker; sister, Ruby McLamb and husband, Bud; and many nieces and nephews.

She also dearly loved her brother, James Walter McDonald; brothers, Tommy Ramsey and Bob Griffin as well as her sister, Ruth McDonald who all preceded her in death.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1pm, Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church, 601 Causeway Dr., Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480. The family will receive visitors one hour prior beginning at 12pm.

A graveside service will be held at 2pm, Thursday, August 10, 2017, at Maplewood Cemetery, 1621 Duke University Rd., Durham, NC 27701.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home